THE PUHUI

Lead Designers Li Hui

Entry Description

Theme: Hidden in City, Light, Nature

1. Urban Serenity: Nestled in bustling Pudong, the design contrasts external chaos with intentional darkness (50-80 lux), using matte grays/blacks to absorb glare. Strategic accents (red staircase, floral decor) are highlighted via directional projectors, creating depth without clutter.

2. Layered Memory: Indirect ceiling/wall lighting (100-150 lux) forms a soft base. The spiral staircase—subtly lit (30-50 lux) via concealed step lights—anchors the space. Uplights on walls ensure harmony, prioritizing lasting impressions over transient brightness.

3. Natural Immersion: The rooftop garden rejects overt illumination. Bamboo groves remain shadowed; soft spills from private rooms graze foliage. Low-level corridor lights (300mm height) mimic “moonlit streams,” blurring architecture and nature. Lanterns guide guests, evoking discovery.

Impact: Post-opening surveys confirm success—guests describe the space as a “therapeutic urban escape.” The design balances function and poetry, leveraging contrast, biophilic subtlety, and memory-centric layering.

Innovation:

Contextual Contrast: Urban energy amplifies interior calm.

Emotional Anchors: Light prioritizes lasting spatial memory.

Boundaryless Nature: Artificial/natural light merge seamlessly.

A testament to lighting’s power as an emotional medium, this project redefines urban dining.